July 14, 2014

Liberia: 'Ebola outbreak is national emergency'

Catholic Archbishop Lewis Ziegler has made a passionate plea to the public, especially the religious community, to see the Ebola outbreak as a national emergency.

He said Christians should not doubt the reality of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia but should work closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and partners in containing the spread of the virus which has claimed lives and continues to affect the health of Liberians and other citizens.

Speaking during a one-day Ebola sensitization workshop held at the Health Ministry in Congo Town at the weekend, Archbishop Ziegler urged the public to stop the state of denial, and limit contacts with bodies of people infected, dead or suspected of dying of Ebola.

He also appealed to the public against performing the usual religious, traditional and other burial rites for those dying or suspected of dying of Ebola because these practices expose the public to the virus.

At the close of the workshop, 67 religious leaders adopted a four-count action plan for the implementation at their various churches.

The religious leaders agreed to provide Ebola education at their various churches, Sunday schools, homes and communities.

They also agreed to provide hand washing buckets at their churches to prevent the virus, and also, work with the Ministry of Health and partners in reporting suspected cases within their communities and churches.

The workshop was part of the Health Ministry's effort aimed at creating awareness and sensitization on spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the country.

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Catholic Archbishop Lewis Ziegler has made a passionate plea to the public, especially the religious community, to see the Ebola outbreak as a national emergency.

He said Christians should not doubt the reality of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia but should work closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and partners in containing the spread of the virus which has claimed lives and continues to affect the health of Liberians and other citizens.

Speaking during a one-day Ebola sensitization workshop held at the Health Ministry in Congo Town at the weekend, Archbishop Ziegler urged the public to stop the state of denial, and limit contacts with bodies of people infected, dead or suspected of dying of Ebola.

He also appealed to the public against performing the usual religious, traditional and other burial rites for those dying or suspected of dying of Ebola because these practices expose the public to the virus.

At the close of the workshop, 67 religious leaders adopted a four-count action plan for the implementation at their various churches.

The religious leaders agreed to provide Ebola education at their various churches, Sunday schools, homes and communities.

They also agreed to provide hand washing buckets at their churches to prevent the virus, and also, work with the Ministry of Health and partners in reporting suspected cases within their communities and churches.

The workshop was part of the Health Ministry's effort aimed at creating awareness and sensitization on spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the country.